India pledges commitment and support to help revive Sri Lanka tourism

11 October 2022 08:15 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Says Sri Lanka deserves to be supported as it is a country worth visiting
Affirms with support from TAAI, SL will revive more quickly and effectively
Plans afoot by SL Tourism to kick off second series of road shows in India in Nov.

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

The travel and tour operators in India have pledged support to help Sri Lanka tourism move towards the positive growth trajectory and affirmed it would actively promote the island nation across all states.

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) said it would by no means back out from selling destination Sri Lanka in India but would step up efforts in educating travellers in its country on the experience the nation has to offer.

Speaking to Mirror Business, TAAI President Jyoti Mayal said the Indian travel and tour agents are of the view that Sri Lanka must and should be supported as it attempts to brave through the series of challenges it has faced in the recent months.

“Sri Lanka, I feel, deserves to be supported as it is a country worth visiting. Not only value for money but it is a country that relates to our Indian culture, history, religion and has the most wonderful forms of entertainment.

Every crisis brings multiple opportunities and surely, Sri Lanka with the TAAI’s support will revive quickly and more effectively,” said Mayal, speaking exclusively to Mirror Business on the take on Sri Lanka. When questioned on the possibility of moving to another host country to facilitate the 60th TAAI convention, Mayal said the association is keen and determined to bring its convention to Sri Lanka as planned.

“The TAAI is keen to organise its convention in Colombo and our counterparts there are equally eager to host us. As the economy continues to improve, we shall discuss and announce the dates accordingly,” she said.

Industry sources shared that following the decision to postpone the event that was to be held in November this year, it is likely for the convention to take place within the first quarter of 2023. The dates are yet to be confirmed. India is currently the largest tourist traffic generator for Sri Lanka and authorities are increasing its focus on the neighbouring giant to increase tourist arrivals to the country.

Speaking to journalists in Colombo recently, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said that Sri Lanka Tourism and industry stakeholders are stepping up efforts to attract more Indian travellers to the country, as it is a more realistic market to target, given the current context. Officials from the Tourism Ministry and Sri Lanka Tourism, along with industry stakeholders took part in the Three Cities Road Show that was held in Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad last month. According to Fernando, the five-day road show was a “resounding success” and the local tourism sector stakeholders were able to make a “positive impact in a short timeline”. Plans are underway to kick off another series of road shows in India come November, where Chennai, Cochin and Bangalore will be focused. Arrivals from the neighbouring giant are expected to improve in the coming months, as India’s Spicejet will resume services to Colombo from November 15. Plans are afoot to also introduce a cruise from Pondecherry.

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Comments - 13

Sarath Tuesday, 11 October 2022 11:22 AM

If Sri Lankans are expecting to profit from Indian tourists then they are going to be disappointed. India is a poor country with millions of people and they have never developed the culture to spend money to enjoy life. “Every Rupee” is considered more important than life in India, this is the Indian mindset.

Mahila Wednesday, 12 October 2022 02:54 AM

Perhaps that may be the foremost reason, which we Lankans DISREGARDED, since 2010, that has caused our people 'FORCE MANAGED' with 1 or 2 meals per day (preferred to using words – ‘PARTIAL STARVATION’) instead of 3 meals as in glorious bygone era!!! Also we (SL) has of late turned out from the 'RICE BOWL' of South Asia to beg for essentials from India, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar!!?? Very good and exemplary of Lankans and Sri Lanka!! Much admired profile of a Beggar nation!! Natural human admirable trait is to conserve one's wealth, for rainy day; Not, other way around!!??

Akash Tuesday, 11 October 2022 12:04 PM

Yakoo Sarath- The Indian rupee is 5.5 times the SL rupee You guys beg for assistance form India, which was given very lavishly

Eranjith Tuesday, 11 October 2022 12:30 PM

India has helped Sri Lanka very much but when it comes to tourists, Indians look for cheap hotels, cheap food and complain that living in Sri Lanka is very expensive (this was way before the economic crisis) since Indians are also poor people.

Man abroad Tuesday, 11 October 2022 12:54 PM

@sarath and Eranjith- have both of you ever got out of SL ? In every country in this world including SL, There are the richest of the rich and poorest of the poor. Even in USA, UK, FRANCE, GERMANY etc. Please broaden your minds. Don’t be like frogs in a well. I hope Indian airlines will connect Jaffna airport to its international flights to West and East.

Concerned Citizen Tuesday, 11 October 2022 12:57 PM

The Indian tourist is someone who buys his water bottle, packet of lunch and dinner in a way side restaurant and have it their hotel room. Hence the hotel does not make much money especially with the Indian tourist. The gain in terms of forex is very small as compared to the European and Western tourist and the Middle East tourist, the latter is the best...

Trample Thursday, 13 October 2022 06:46 PM

@ concerned citizen, why do you think that the road side restaurants shouldn't benefit from tourism but only the hotels? You must be the types that support the govt., in their corrupt ways and trample the powerless in the society. Blood suckers.

Kenneth Tuesday, 11 October 2022 04:09 PM

What does SL have to offer to Western tourist in terms of quality, safety, security and value for money. Russian tourist get raped by politicians, locals stare at women as if they have not seen one before

Who cares Tuesday, 11 October 2022 05:18 PM

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. Thinking how some Sri Lankans think about Indians, I don't want to visit. Indians be aware of the attitude. AVOID SRI LANKA. Let them invite white guys who thinks about Asians as beggars.

Varda Tuesday, 11 October 2022 09:43 PM

What a foolish comment by @Akash. Lavish assistance? Sri Lankans don't consider Indian trains, lorry buses, or Indian diktats about who Sri Lanka can be friends with as "assistance". I don't think anyone in their right mind would consider Indian buses and trains as lavish. Not even Indians.

Cam Sab Wednesday, 12 October 2022 02:43 AM

India has multi-millionaires more than the total canadian population of 30million.

Ambar Palanikattam Wednesday, 12 October 2022 10:31 AM

Make some toilets in India for your own people - Do support thieves!!

Indian Wednesday, 12 October 2022 06:25 PM

The richest man in the world is also an Indian named Gautam Adani. If india with a population of 1.3 billion people had the same population of 23 million as Sri Lanka it would be one of the richest country in the world. Sri Lankans are too lazy and want everything free.

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India pledges commitment and support to help revive Sri Lanka tourism

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